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News
Release
Canadian
organic farmers having trouble keeping up with demand
August
18, 2008 -- For Immediate Release
Ottawa - Canadian Organic Growers, the industry pioneer in the
organic food and community agriculture phenomenon, says Canadian
organic farmers are having trouble keeping up with the growing demand
for sustainably produced food.
Demand for locally grown organic food is on the rise across the
country. "People are finding out what real food tastes like.
After you've sampled an organic tomato or carrot or tasted an organically
raised free range chicken direct from a local farmer, it's hard
to go back to the bland fare that we're used to eating", says
Laura Telford, executive director.
In addition to better taste, mounting scientific evidence suggests
that organically grown food is also better for you. A £12
million four-year investigation that tapped the scientific expertise
of thirty-three academic centres across Europe has shown that organic
foods have more nutritional value. The study also found organically
grown fruit and vegetables to contain up to 40 per cent more antioxidants,
which scientists believe can cut the risk of heart disease and cancer.
And better nutrition is not all you're paying for when you pop
for the organic price premium. According to Telford, organic farming
is the only agricultural system that improves soil health and doesn't
pollute the environment. "Runoff from conventional fertilizers
and chemical pesticides are contaminating Canadian waters and poisoning
our wildlife. With its dependence on fossil fuel-based fertilizers,
modern agricultural methods also contribute more to global warming
than organic methods."
"This is the true cost of a cheap food system. Our choice
is to pay farmers more now to prevent environmental disasters, or
pay later for the environmental cleanup. Either way - you get what
you pay for in the supermarket. If we make the choice to pay farmers
more for their ecological services, we'll pay less in the long run
and we'll be able to attract more farmers to organic farming, says
Telford. And that's a good thing for our health and our environment."
In December 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will begin
implementing the Organic Products Regulations passed in 2006. The
new law will provide Canadians with the added assurance that all
products carrying the organic logo are grown according to the stringent
requirements of the Canadian Organic Standard. Questionable products
will now come under the scrutiny of CFIA's food inspectors.
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About Canadian Organic Growers
Canadian Organic Growers, with chapters and members in every province
and territory, advocates for a more just and sustainable food system.
Laura Telford, Ph.D. Executive Director
613 216-0742 laura@cog.ca
For a list of organic experts in your region, contact
616 216-0742
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